Lets Go Riding?

A friend of mine, a few generations older than most riders of today, told of how her sister who was no rider, woke one morning, threw the curtains back to a beautiful sunny day and said, “Let’s go riding?”

But then she remembered, she didn’t have a horse.  Or any gear.  At all!

At this time it was simply not a problem.  Within a couple of hours the horse was found in Horses and Vehicles for sale - a regular column in The NZ Herald, back in the day!  A second hand bridle and saddle was purchased from there too.  The ex-racehorse was viewed, no vet check required, and delivered by 2pm, when my friend and her sister geared up and away they went for a two hour road ride around the quiet back roads of Flatbush, Auckland.  This was the first of many very enjoyable Sunday afternoon rides for years to come until the horse died of old age and conveniently at the same time and not before, the saddle fell apart with the hand stitching having rotted.

Today I feel it would be if not more difficult, almost impossible to outfit yourself with a horse and suitable gear in such a short time frame without tying yourself in knots with indecision regarding the selection available, the gear and horse most suitable and then how would this be paid for.  Not to forget the necessity of determining which expert should be consulted for their opinion on just about everything.

In the good old days, equestrians would never have expected to consider much more than the weather, and if they were interested in riding or not, before they launched out and purchased the horse.  Interesting to note that vet checks were almost unheard of back then.  Would be riders certainly didn’t require anything like as much gear as one would expect to have today.  A fully mounted saddle, numnah, basic bridle maybe with a drop noseband to crank a mouth shut, or something decorative, a loose ring snaffle bit, a hard velvet hat, Jodhpur boots, a horse, and you were good to go!  Nowadays there is a far greater mind boggling selection of simply everything.  Mind numbing decisions must be made.  From a ridiculously enormous variety of bits to choose from, saddles for all different disciplines, gel pads to keep saddles in place, types of girths too numerous to even mention, bridles and brow bands in all different colours and with all different uses, nosebands for different purposes, and so many different rugs to choose from, a monster has been created.  And don’t forget all the specialised experts who simply must be consulted.  Saddles must be fitted and I’m not sure you would ask a dressage adviser what saddle you should jump your horse in.

Also the price of gear has an enormous range.  The latest technology and revolutionary improvements being made to the average saddle make choosing very difficult and selcetion is not for the fainthearted.  Is it possible that people actually believe that to ride your very best and be at the top of your game you simply must have the best gear?  Should more attention be paid to your own skills and training rather than on how much money you have to spend on the very best equipment?  Can competitive or even pleasure riding be done on a shoestring these days? 

Had my friend’s sister been faced with all of the above choices all those years ago when she threw back the curtains to a beautiful sunny day and announced her desire to go horse riding, I think she may well have gone straight back to bed for a bit of a lie down and a lot of thinking. 

We hear so much about ill-fitting saddles being associated with back problems and behavioural issues.  So now a specialist behaviourist must be consulted and a saddle fitter, and don’t forget the physio, oh and also your horse will require the correct nutritional supplements too to keep muscles and joints supple.  Back in the day, there was a very popular saddle, the Count Toptani Mark II.  An English handmade saddle, this was once the world’s most proven and it was used by the majority of jumpers and hunters and pleasure riders.  This saddle honest to god did happily fit all sizes and shapes.  It also held the rider in, rather than firing them out when it all went wrong.  And it was used to ride in almost every discipline with the exception of dressage which compared to today, was not really dressage at all.  These saddles were handmade from pigskin leather and beautifully crafted.  They were relatively easy to come by in NZ and while at the top of the range, not crazily out of reach. 

Today however, there is an enormous range in the cost of gear.  And choice is overwhelming.  People seem to happily spend heaps more on their gear than they will on their horses.  Others who are fortunate enough to have a horse in the first place may have very little to spend on tack.  But there will be mounting pressure for them to get with the play and strive for the best of the best.    

The most expensive saddle ever in the world was the Historic Pancho Villa saddle.  It was sold for the highest auction record at a staggering $750KUSD at the High Noon Western Americana, 2012.  The highly anticipated event had media attention worldwide for the one-of-a-kind and historic saddle which held a strong history.  The saddle created by renowned Mexican artists, was once owned by the revolutionary hero Pancho Villa, the top military leader of the Mexican Revolution who was assassinated in 1923.

The saddle features designs of thread coated in silver and silver conchos carefully placed over the fine leather with Villa’s initials carved into the silver of each stirrup.  It was bought by a collector from Texas who displays the saddle in a museum to share the importance of the history behind it with the world.

Hermes is also an expensive quality brand which is at the top of the really expensive list with some of the best leatherwork in the world.  Hermes creates remarkable bridles starting at around the $900USD mark, halters around $740USD and saddles around $8500USD.  Perhaps not so readily available in NZ. 

There is however, in NZ, a large selection of high quality gear available. 

Butet is a well-known brand creating a variety of exclusive saddles that cater for all disciplines of riding.  European craftsmanship and nothing but the finest materials, ensures these handcrafted saddles made in France are the most customizable available.  There are ninety different options of design.  You can trust this is a fantastic saddle as it is the top choice for lots of high profile riders including Andrew Nicholson, Tim and Jonelle Price and Katie Laurie, all of them from NZ.  These would seem to be the highest priced saddles on the market.

The Prestige S1 Jump saddle is priced at a whopping $9,440NZD.  The iconic saddle created from Prestige’s latest innovation is equipped with an integrated shock absorber and a double tree.  This aids in a more forward position by at least 5cm for the rider, with its ‘upper’ tree.  The ‘lower’ tree which is shorter ensures the movement of the horses shoulder is free and unrestricted.  Riders find more comfort in the Prestige S1 Jump Saddle than any other, thanks to the shock absorber which lessens the force of impact of the rider’s weight on the horse’s shoulders by 30%-50%.  Some high profile NZ riders choose Prestige, Clarke Johnstone being one of them.

Next up is the ERREPLUS Vittoria Mono flap Dressage saddle priced at $6,195NZD.  Launched by Erreplus Italian Saddlery this is the second version of the latest design bringing together tradition and technology, designed for big moving, deep shouldered and short backed dressage horses.  If you want maximum comfort and greater performance, this saddle is great for you with its open yet deep seat.  It knee blocks also support the rider’s position to keep the legs more forward without restricting the riders range for movement.  Vanessa Veart-Smith (NZL) rides in this brand.

The distinctive Pessoa Amo Pro Saddle costs $4,990NZD and features panels that wrap around the horse’s shoulder to bring rider and horse closer with more comfort and support.  The saddles are created from pre-oiled leather which is what gives a unique softness and extra grip.

Closely following in price is the Bates NEW Isabell Cair worth $4,399NZD.  Developed by world renowned dressage rider Isabell Werth, this revolutionary technology enables the riders to sit deeper from their seat right down through the leg for the ultimate comfort, connection and performance. Complete with the CAIR® Cushion System this saddle allows a more free range of movement finished with an easy change gullet system to easily adjust the fit to horses of different shapes. The saddle also features an adjustable y-girthing system to balance and secure the saddle all round and is made from Australia’s finest leather.

The Cliff Barnsby Milton Pro-Seat Jump Saddle priced at $3,750NZD is described as the ultimate, close-contact jumping saddle.  Its narrow twist, knee blocks made from the finest French calf leather and a contoured seam seat give this saddle a unique feel.  This top of the range jump saddle is most suited for a hunter jumper or eventing rider as it covers a broad bearing surface.  There is also the choice of having your close-contact panels either traditionally wool-flocked or with rubber and felt.

The Trainer Cross Country Saddle retailing for $3,650NZD is the utmost all round saddle that caters for all different levels of riding. Its distinguishing panels help to evenly distribute the riders weight for maximum comfort and it was carefully designed with the x-change gullet system and panels stuffed with synthetic wool.

High quality endurance saddles are also at the top of the market, for instance there is the Freeform EnduroX Saddle worth $2,780NZD.  This luxury Italian calfskin leather saddle is designed to suit riders for endurance, trail riding and general schooling, although it is labelled a general purpose saddle.  With its ability to provide comfort on rough terrain, the EnduroX also handles the same requirements of any other performance driven saddle.  What makes this saddle extraordinary is the stirrup attachments which are adjustable to allow different stirrup positions.

The Collegiate Classic Show Saddle priced at $2,195NZD, is made out of the highest quality European leather which is smooth and full grain and features leather covered buttons, fixed knee rolls and long girth points which are double stitched. It also has a soft, supple seat and easy change gullet system to make fitting your saddle a lot easier.

If you’d prefer a saddle with a little more colour, and are looking for a pony size, Tekna have a Pink Pony Kit for $1330NZD.  The Tekna Pony GP Saddle comes fully equipped with matching pink stirrup leathers, pink stirrups and a pink girth.  The complete package for a pink loving equine enthusiast!

The prices of bridles are also sky rocketing within the market with Hermes as the highest priced brand worldwide.  The most expensive bridle is the Hermes dressage double bridle created from luxurious cowhide and nickelled metal which features billet hook fastenings, a lined browband and noseband with attached crank and a padded elastic headstall all complete with stitched seams.  For only $1,350 USD this quality bridle could be yours today!

In NZ our highest priced bridles are probably Prestige although the Otto Schumacher also makes fabulously expensive and beautifully crafted bridles with different coloured crystals studded brow bands.

The Prestige Rolled Double Bridle is worth $956NZD.  Equiline also have top range bridles for sale for example the Weymouth Swarovski bridle priced at $779NZD made from the finest Italian leather.  Next is the Lexington Double Bridle - Premium Line from SCHOCKEMOHLE worth $489NZD and followed closely behind is the Rambo Micklem Diamante Competition Bridle by Horseware for $319NZD Collegiate, CSO, FRA, Hinterland and WALDHAUSEN are all at the other end of the spectrum yet still the most expensive in their brand which all roughly cost around $299NZD.

Article copyright iSpyHorses Team